Showing results by author "Janette Oke" in All Categories

In Acadia, two young mothers, one British and one French, have become good friends, despite the enmity between their peoples. The French woman's baby girl becomes critically ill. Since the British woman has access to medical care denied to the French, they exchange infants. But, suddenly, the French are expelled from Acadia, and the women are unable to meet again.

Internationally best-selling inspirational author Janette Oke is beloved for her novels of faith. Winter Is Not Forever is the continuation of the touching Seasons of the Heart saga begun in Once Upon a Summer and continued in The Winds of Autumn. Featuring a folksy narration by Johnny Heller, this tale of a young man ready to graduate from high school and begin his adult life is touching and poignant.

So much has been accomplished. Lillian Walsh has stepped out courageously beyond what she'd ever dreamed of being able to achieve. Two years ago, she was an only child, living in a big house with her adoptive parents. Now, she shares the large home with her newly rediscovered sister, Grace, and the orphaned children to whom Grace has devoted her life. But then the letter arrives - an official complaint revoking the sisters' permission to manage their little children's home.

Elizabeth Thatcher is young, pretty, cultured, and educated. But when she journeys west to teach school in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, she's completely unprepared for the conditions she encounters. Still, she's determined to succeed at the formidable task of fitting in with the locals and shaping the hearts and minds of the schoolchildren in her care.

Like most young women in ancient Israel, Mary has little control over her own destiny. When Enos, a rising Pharisee, sees her one day in the market―the most beautiful woman he has ever laid eyes on―and determines to make her his wife, Mary’s fate is quickly sealed. His exorbitant bride price is the only hope her parents have of escaping abject poverty, but surely the fact that such a devout and esteemed man has chosen a girl of her station must be a sign of blessing.

Christine and her older brother, Henry, grew up in the Delaney family as loved and nurtured as if they had been born to Elizabeth and Wynn. Now adults, they are ready to make new lives for themselves. Henry has found love and is planning a wedding. Christine is delighted for her brother, but she is still carrying scars from a broken relationship. And the war in Europe causes uncertainties at every turn, while the Northland still calls to her heart.

Virginia thought she would feel different - like an adult, with an inner knowledge that she was on the edge of the nest, ready to try her own wings. And then circumstances began swirling around her, making her rethink her plans and reevaluate her priorities. If she only knew what the future held....

Jodie and Bethan are about as different as two young women can be, but growing up they develop a strong bond of friendship in the quiet town of Harmony, North Carolina. As the world plunges into war, though, their friendship is tested by a devastating loss.

Anne and Nicole are together again at the Harrow estate in England, but they find themselves facing divergent futures. While Anne comfortably settles into British life, Nicole once again searches the far horizon. Despite the raging War of Independence, she sets sail for the American colonies to manage her uncle's landholdings. The gallant Captain Goodwind captures Nicole's attention, but not yet her heart. In the midst of revolution, her loyalties and faith are tested beyond what she could have ever imagined.

Virginia Simpson has learned that Grandma Marty was right to insist that when God allows something to be taken from you, he replaces it with something better. The return of Jonathan, their renewed courtship, and the upcoming wedding are all shining examples of that. Still, the trials and disappointments of Virginia's life weigh heavily on her, and the inner strength that has continued to build in her is far from completion. The first test of her new resolve comes soon after her marriage.

Dana, a young teenager, is diagnosed with a terminal illness and her solidly Christian family deals with the resulting turmoil. A teen son strays, a younger child feels neglected and a sister struggles with bitterness toward God.

Now that Kyle Adams' dream of finding her biological parents has come true and she is pregnant, Kyle begins to believe that her life is perfect. However, when a heart condition threatens her young son's life, Kyle's newfound happiness fades. Then her son dies, and she turns her back on God. It takes a great deal of soul searching before she is finally able to accept God back into her life. The authors deliver a quietly introspective novel about the true meaning of faith.

Happily married with four children, Virginia Lewis is perfectly content with her peaceful existence on the family farm. But change looms on the horizon. Grandma Marty and Grandpa Clark have always been a source of emotional strength, but their health is failing. And Virginia's adopted daughter, who has long been a blessing, may be torn from the family when her absentee birth mother resurfaces and pursues custody. Virginia may fear the unknown, but her unshakable convictions will help her embrace it.

Twenty years have passed since youngest daughter Belinda's story in Love Finds a Home. Marty and Clark's spiritual heritage has been lovingly passed on to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. And now beloved granddaughter Virginia faces the test of her young life. Caught in that difficult period between childhood and adulthood, feeling that she doesn't really fit anywhere, Virginia struggles against what she considers to be unreasonable restrictions and expectations.

Endlich ist der lang ersehnte Tag gekommen: Nach einer angestrengten Reise feiern Marthy und Clark ein Wiedersehen mit Missie und Willie. Dabei lernen sich auch die Enkelkinder kennen. Die Jungen erobern die Herzen der Großeltern im Sturm. Doch bald fällt ein dunkler Schatten auf die ungetrübte Freude. Bei einem Ausritt mit dem fünfjährigen Nathan wird Clark von einem Jungen alarmiert, dessen Freunde in einem Bergwerk verschüttet wurden. Clark eilt ihnen zu Hilfe und verunglückt dabei selber! Wird rechtzeitig Hilfe eintreffen?

Der Siedlertreck in den amerikanischen Westen endet für ein Ehepaar in der Katastrophe: der Mann verunglückt tödlich und läßt seine blutjunge Frau Marty als Witwe zurück. In ihrem großen Schmerz und der bodenlosen Verzweiflung findet sie eine erste Hilfe in verständnisvollen Nachbarn. Doch eine Lösung ist nicht in Sicht. So muß Marty auf das Angebot eines Farmers eingehen und ihn heiraten. Sie soll seinem Kind die Mutter und ihm die Ehefrau ersetzen. In ihrer Not fügt sich Marty diesem Ansinnen voller Widerwillen. Erst langsam lernt sie den fremden Mann achten.

Missie und Willie haben geheiratet. Voller Zuversicht schließen sie sich einem westwärts ziehenden Siedlertreck an, um das Land in Besitz zu nehmen, das Willie im Jahr zuvor gekauft hat. Doch die Reise wird beschwerlich, denn die Planwagenfahrt ist kein Zuckerschlecken. All das verstärkt nur noch das Heimweh, dass Missie quält. Ob sie jemals ihre Familie wieder sehen wird? Und wird sie den Eltern vielleicht niemals das Enkelkind zeigen können, dass unter ihrem Herzen wächst? Diese Erzählung von Janette Oke wurde von Günter Schmitz gekürzt und bearbeitet.

Allmählich füllt sich das kleine Farmhaus von Clark und Marty immer mehr mit Leben. Vier weitere Kinder werden den glücklichen Eltern geboren, dazu vervollständigen zwei anfangs völlig verschüchterte Pflegekinder die Familie. Aber neben den vielen Aufgaben auf der Farm erwartet die beiden auch manche Arbeit in der Gemeinde: eine Schule und eine Kirche werden gebaut. Allmählich gerät das Leben in der Siedlung in immer geordnetere Bahnen. Doch neben der vielfältigen Freude gibt es manchen traurigen Tag. Und die Sorgen werden nicht weniger, sie werden nur anders.